“Soon as (Vokoun) can stand the pain of getting the helmet on and feels comfortable taking some shots, which I think will be sooner than later, he’ll be back in there,” Panthers coach Peter DeBoer said yesterday.

Hopefully, Ballard won’t be first in line to take those shots.

The defenceman, who was swinging for the post when his stick made contact with Vokoun, has one goal in 26 games this season.

So, apparently he doesn’t hit the net very often.

Kidman’s kicks

Nicole Kidman is “the face” of Australia’s bid to hold the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

Okay, but I can’t actually imagine the pallid actress on a soccer pitch.

As for “the face,” doesn’t it seem that every time Kidman is photographed she’s wearing the expression of someone with a mouthful of mustard?

Ah, well, good luck to them.

Meantime, England is using an actual soccer player, David Beckham, to promote its bid for 2018. What, you’re thinking they would use Posh?

Say what?

“I was playing ‘hooky’ from school, and the principal spotted me. I just took off running — the principal later said all he could see was my red jacket. The next day I got about 12 licks and was told to report to the football coach.”